Jordan Rudess – Prime Cuts

I’ve always thought that Magna Carta’s Prime Cuts series was an excellent way to showcase the labels artists. Though there are a few other labels that release similar types of compilations, it is my opinion that Magna Carta puts out the best product where this is concerned. All their compilations give these fabulous artists a chance to shine bright while giving the listener the full scope of that artists various styles.

Jordan Rudess is probably best known for his role as keyboardist for the progressive metal band, Dream Theater. Though, his talents far surpass that. You don’t believe it? Just listen to cuts like Universal Mind, originally presented on Liquid Tension Experiment, or Revolutionary Etude, a beautiful classical style piece from the CD, Steinway To Heaven.

Every cut on this compilation is a masterpiece. Just what you would expect from a former child prodogy, such as Mr. Rudess. I was very happy to receive a copy of Jordan Rudess -Prime Cuts because it gave me a chance to discover a foray of music that I was not aware of and I feel anyone who is a connoisseur of great music will be satisfied by this compilation.

Other performers include such talents as Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin, Rod Morgenstein, John Petrucci, Simon Phillips and more. There are even a couple numbers that feature 80’s pretty boy, Kip Winger. In which, we get to see some of what I feel are his best performances, though, much different than one might expect from Winger. Along with Rudess’ fabulous keyboards, Winger’s voice on Tear Before The Rain makes this cut the best song on the disc.

The amazing thing about Jordan Rudess -Prime Cuts is that, much like most of the Prime Cuts series, it flows as if the songs were meant to be compiled in this order, even though there are varying styles and artists performing them. This is something that a true listener, like myself, can really appreciate. Once again, I give credit to the magnificant team at Magna Carta for keeping it – ‘about the music.’